Handle for endoscopic surgical instruments and jaw structure

An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising:

• a handle portion;
• an endoscopic portion having a proximal end connected to said handle portion and a distal end mounting an atraumatic jaw mechanism, said atraumatic jaw mechanism including a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation wherein at least one jaw member is movable such that said jaw members may be positioned in at least an open position and a closed position, each said jaw member having a proximal portion including means for cooperating with a linkage member and a distal portion including a tissue gripping face disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said proximal portion, each said jaw member further including a plurality of arcuate transition areas intermediate said proximal portion and said distal portion.

An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument according to claim 23 wherein each of said tissue gripping faces includes a plurality of teeth disposed thereon such that when said jaw members are in said closed position tissue may be gripped between said teeth of said opposing jaw members.

An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising:

• a handle assembly including a barrel portion, stationary handle and pivoting handle;
• a body assembly comprising a pair of coaxial members attached at one end to said handle assembly, including an inner rod member slidable within an outer tube member in response to movement of said handle assembly, said body assembly terminating at an end remote from said handle assembly in a reciprocally movable jaw mechanism, said jaw mechanism having a pair of individual jaw members disposed in opposing relation and pivotally connected to said outer tube member and movable between at least an open position and a closed position, each individual jaw member including a distal portion having a tissue engaging surface, a proximal portion including pivot means adapted to cooperate with said inner rod member and a flexible intermediate portion interconnecting said distal portion and said proximal portion, said body assembly further including a ratchet mechanism positioned within said barrel portion of said handle assembly, said ratchet mechanism including a rack means positioned on said inner rod member and a releasable pawl member which engages said ratchet means to provide for incremental positioning of said jaw members between said open and closed positions.